Pay in tech has tilted toward roles that protect systems, control cloud costs, and ship practical AI. Senior individual contributors often match managers on compensation, while security and data leaders keep rising. Certifications help, but employers still value a solid track record, clear communication, and calm problem-solving under pressure. This ranking follows a new multi-source analysis by Syskit, averaging three major datasets to show typical pay across the market.
25. Wireless Network Engineer
Wireless network engineers plan and optimize Wi-Fi across offices, warehouses, hospitals, and campuses. Day to day work includes RF surveys, controller tuning, and troubleshooting roaming issues. Common tools include Ekahau or Hamina for surveys, and Cisco or Aruba controllers. Useful credentials include CCNA/CCNP Enterprise, CWNA/CWDP, and strong TCP/IP fundamentals.
Wireless Network Engineer average salary: $128,735
24. Data Scientist
Data scientists turn messy data into clear answers. They frame questions, build features, and test models, then explain results so teams can act. Typical skills include statistics, SQL, Python or R, and data visualization. Experience with experimentation, causal inference, or domain knowledge often separates the good from the great.
Data Scientist average salary: $129,835
23. Site Reliability Engineer
SREs keep services fast and stable at scale. They automate deploys, refine alerts, and lead post-incident reviews that prevent repeats. You’ll need strong scripting, Linux, containers, and observability chops, plus a bias for simple, repeatable solutions. On-call rotations are common, and clear runbooks are a must.
Site Reliability Engineer average salary: $130,545
22. Database Manager
Database managers oversee performance, backups, and upgrades across fleets of SQL and NoSQL systems. They set standards for indexing, access control, and recovery so uptime and audits stay under control. Skills include query tuning, HA/replication, and careful change management. Experience with Oracle, SQL Server, Postgres, or MySQL is typical.
Database Manager average salary: $130,598
21. Data Engineer
Data engineers build the pipelines that power analytics and AI. Work spans ingestion, transformation, orchestration, and schema design so teams trust the numbers. Strong SQL, Python or Scala, and tools like Spark, Airflow, or dbt are common. Good engineers also think about cost, lineage, and reliability from day one.
Data Engineer average salary: $132,312
20. Cybersecurity Engineer
Security engineers harden networks, endpoints, and apps, then tune detections to catch real threats. Expect hands-on work with EDR, SIEM, identity, and cloud security controls. Useful certifications include Security+, CySA+, CISSP, or cloud-specific security credentials. Clear documentation and steady incident response matter as much as tools.
Cybersecurity Engineer average salary: $132,769
19. Network Security Engineer
Network security engineers design segmentation, firewall policies, and zero-trust patterns that limit blast radius. They deploy IDS/IPS, VPNs, and strong logging so investigations move faster. Knowledge of vendors like Palo Alto, Fortinet, or Cisco is common. Scripting and automation help keep rulesets tidy and auditable.
Network Security Engineer average salary: $136,579
18. Network/Cloud Manager
These managers bridge hands-on networking with vendor and budget oversight. They guide capacity plans, negotiate contracts, and ensure teams follow change control. A mix of technical depth and people leadership is important. Clear metrics for uptime, latency, and cost keep leadership aligned.
Network/Cloud Manager average salary: $140,302
17. IT Product Manager
IT product managers own internal platforms such as identity, collaboration, or developer tooling. They set roadmaps, capture requirements, and measure real adoption. Communication, prioritization, and stakeholder management are core skills. Many come from engineering or business analysis and learn product practices on the job.
IT Product Manager average salary: $141,846
16. Senior Software Engineer
Senior engineers deliver complex features, guide designs, and mentor others. They simplify code, pay attention to failure modes, and handle the riskiest pieces first. Strong system design, code review, and testing skills are essential. Breadth across a stack helps, but knowing one area deeply is just as valuable.
Senior Software Engineer average salary: $143,512
15. Machine Learning Engineer
ML engineers ship models and keep them healthy in production. They manage feature stores, watch for drift, and set retraining schedules that don’t break other systems. You’ll need software engineering fundamentals, basic stats, and experience with frameworks and MLOps tools. Clear monitoring and rollback plans are non-negotiable.
Machine Learning Engineer average salary: $144,087
14. IT Operations Manager
IT ops managers coordinate help desk, infrastructure, and incident playbooks so daily work stays predictable. They enforce change control and align staffing with peak demand. ITIL familiarity helps, but practical runbooks and good communication matter most. The job is part planning, part coaching, and part calm crisis handling.
IT Operations Manager average salary: $146,727
13. ERP Integration Manager
ERP integration managers connect finance, supply chain, and HR systems without breaking compliance. They plan migrations, govern interfaces, and keep vendors honest on timelines. Experience with SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics is common. Strong mapping skills and patient stakeholder work are key to clean cutovers.
ERP Integration Manager average salary: $147,974
12. Data Architect
Data architects set standards for models, governance, and access so analytics stays consistent. They choose patterns that balance speed with control, and document them well. Skills include dimensional and modern modeling, cataloging, and privacy controls. The best designs make analysis faster and audits simpler.
Data Architect average salary: $148,088
11. Software and Applications Manager
These managers align release plans with hiring and budgets, then remove blockers so teams ship. They keep backlogs tidy, clarify scope, and track results that leaders care about. A background in software delivery helps, paired with practical people leadership. Strong cross-team communication keeps surprises low.
Software and Applications Manager average salary: $148,514
10. Network/Cloud Architect
Network and cloud architects design resilient, cost-aware landing zones and connectivity. They pick identity boundaries, standardize IaC, and plan for failover. Skills span routing, DNS, PKI, and at least one major cloud. A good architect writes clear reference designs so teams don’t reinvent the wheel.
Network/Cloud Architect average salary: $149,607
9. AI Architect
AI architects set direction for model choices, guardrails, and integration patterns. They balance accuracy with latency, privacy, and maintenance. Knowledge of platforms, vector stores, and data governance is important. The role is as much product sense and risk control as it is model math.
AI Architect average salary: $151,313
8. Security Architect
Security architects create reusable patterns that make the safe path the easy path. They bake in least privilege, strong logging, and sensible defaults across cloud and on-prem. Expect reviews, threat modeling, and steady collaboration with platform teams. Clear standards reduce friction and raise coverage.
Security Architect average salary: $153,519
7. IT Director
IT directors translate strategy into budgets, staffing, and vendor deals. They report on reliability, delivery, and spend, and adjust plans as the business changes. Broad experience across operations, security, and applications is typical. Steady communication with executives and clear roadmaps define success.
IT Director average salary: $154,408
6. Applications Architect
Applications architects shape systems that scale without surprises. They guide API patterns, data flow, and testing so new features land smoothly. Skills include design for reliability, observability, and graceful degradation. Strong docs and a focus on simplicity pay dividends at release time.
Applications Architect average salary: $154,798
5. Systems Security Manager
This manager leads detection, response, and vulnerability programs across the estate. They prioritize work so limited security hours cut real risk. Knowledge of SIEM, EDR, identity, and patch orchestration is common. Calm incident leadership and crisp reporting keep stakeholders informed.
Systems Security Manager average salary: $166,855
4. Vice President of Information Technology
VPs of IT steer large portfolios, aligning reliability and cost with business goals. They manage senior leaders, major vendors, and multi-year roadmaps. Strong financial literacy and negotiation skills matter. Clear metrics keep both boards and teams on the same page.
Vice President of Information Technology average salary: $181,612
3. Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
CTOs set product and platform direction and keep engineering velocity high. They balance build-versus-buy choices, talent, and partnerships. A mix of deep technical judgment and practical delivery experience is expected. Results show up in time-to-market and product quality.
Chief Technology Officer (CTO) average salary: $204,197
2. Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
CISOs own risk, incident response, and board-level reporting on threats. They work across legal, compliance, and engineering to close gaps. Experience with frameworks, vendor risk, and crisis communication is essential. Rising breach costs and regulation keep this role in demand.
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) average salary: $210,891
1. Chief Information Officer (CIO)
CIOs set enterprise IT strategy and oversee the biggest spend decisions. They balance modernization with stability and match talent to priorities. Breadth across security, infrastructure, data, and applications is common. The best keep plans simple, measurable, and tied to business outcomes.
Chief Information Officer (CIO) average salary: $221,161
Methodology
Figures come from Syskit’s 2025 analysis of U.S. tech roles, which combined three sources into an “overall average” for each title. Robert Half’s technology salary guide and the Glassdoor Salaries index were each weighted at 40%, while the Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS) averages were weighted at 20%. Rankings above use that overall average from the compiled table. See Syskit’s study for the full table and role list.
Sources used in the analysis: the Robert Half Technology Salary Guide, Glassdoor Salaries, and the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Credit: Syskit.
Pay varies by region, seniority, bonus and equity mix, and company size.
